OfemiliTimes

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Awka-North petitions Gov. Obi over marginalisation

TEN Communities in Awka North Local government Area, Anambra State, have petitioned the state Governor, Mr. Peter Obi on what they called marginalization of the local government area by the government of Anambra state. The petition notes that Awka-North is the most neglected in the state, reports Odogwu Emeka Odogbwu.The local government under the aegis of Igbo-Adagbe Development Association (IDA) in their petition copied to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 23 other eminent organizations and bodies regretted that there is no indigene of the local government appointed into any substantive position in the Government under Governor Obi . The Petition made available to Daily Champion and signed by 10 different personalities from all the communities in the council area, including former House of Assembly members, Dr Chris Anagor , President of Igbo-Adagbe and Hon Louis Nkemdilim who doubles as Vice Chairman of Igbo-Adagbe , Secretary Hon Emma Igboemeka among others. The petition queried to know whether communities in Awka North local Government are part of Anambra state or not as according to the petitioners the administration of Peter Obi had continued to pay lip service to the problems of Awka North despite that it is in the capital territory. They prayed Governor Obi to look in the direction of the people of Awka North in appointments , rural electrification , road network and other basic amenities and employment as no indigene of Awka North is Head of Local Government Administration or heading the Local government Education Authority whereas , ‘the statutory allocation to Awka North are being frittered away without our people’s contribution, now how much of Awka North funds that have spent by your administration, we don’t know. This is criminal and immoral’’. They decried that the Amansea-Ebenebe – Ugbenu-Ugbene –Awba-Ofemmili road he flagged off on May 2007 is not progressing as 18 months period of completion he promised has elapsed on March1 2009, and earth work had not gone beyond ten kilometers wondering why anybody should circulate tracts that the road has been completed. They lamented that the hospitals in the communities are in deplorable conditions and some communities without electricity ever since.

The Awka-North people said in the petition, “Awka North indigenes are hard working and law abiding citizens of Anambra State . It is our most sincere wish that we don’t resort to self-help in the present circumstances. We therefore as a matter of extreme urgency call on you to redress these injustices now. Specifically, we request that the following be graciously done.” “Your Excellency should initiate an Affirmative Action for Awka North people to integrate them into government by giving employment to indigenes of our area who have over the years been excluded from appointments into the civil services because they have nobody at the helm of any government establishment.”

“Your Excellency is prayed to correct the imbalance in the appointment made by him and appoint an indigene of Awka North to serve in any Executive position in the administration. This will, to use the words of the constitution promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among our people.” “Your Excellency should as a matter of urgency look into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-Awba-Ofemili road construction with a view to ensuring that vital road is speedily completed.” The people wrote’’. But the state government in a statement made available to Daily Champion and signed by the state commissioner for information and culture, Prof. Stella Okunna, mentioned some developments already going on in the area, as construction of 32 kilometer Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-Awba Ofemili road.

According to Okunna, “The fact remains that Anambra State as a State was marginalized by her leaders until the coming of Governor Peter Obi. The other day, the Governor started the first road project in Anambra West since the State was created.” “If you look back, you will see that even Awka North cannot boost of a single road until Obi became Governor. He is constructing the 32-Kilometers Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-Awba Ofemili road, with a bridge over Ezu River . He is also constructing the 9.50 Kilometers Achalla junction-Adani Rd and the 13- kilometer Awkuzu-Igbariam – Achalla Rd. ” “The Governor is simultaneously erecting eight buildings at the School of Agriculture Mgbakwu , where no previous Governor erected a block.” “It may interest you to note that the place has been chosen for the Ethanol Plant, which will soon take off.” “Besides, the Schools in the area, such as Community Secondary School, Isuaniocha, Community Secondary School Amansea, among others, were among the schools provided with Computer equipment and Laboratory equipment by the Government.” the statement read.